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this week

Lauren and Eden coloured penguins during a winter break camp at the Spark Centre last week.

Holy Family board creates support plan for AI use in schools

Submitted

The Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Board held their monthly meeting on February 11.

Agnes Garrioch, coordinator of Religion and Instruction, presented Holy Family’s formal belief statements and guiding principles for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Garrioch shared the AI Responsible Use Guidelines for students, teachers, and staff along with a phased support plan for a successful division-wide rollout. Holy Family’s progress remains fully on track and in alignment with other school divisions across the province.

Central Office Staff

Faith Retreat Update

The Coordinator of Religion and Instruction also provided a summary of Central Office Staff Faith Retreat Day on January 20. The Central Office staff

gathered for a day of spiritual renewal and professional fellowship, guided by Holy Family’s division theme, “Pilgrims of Hope, Anchored in Christ.”

The retreat was facilitated by Michelle Braden and Braden Kuntz from the Archdiocese of Regina Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Public Health Consultation

Director of Education Ken Sampson spoke about the recent closure of Sacred Heart Sacré Coeur School due to carbon monoxide levels, and the processes that involved discussions with both a Public Health Inspector and Medical Health Officers.

System Leadership Day

Teaching and student services staff gathered at their respective schools and central office for virtual presentations on January 30. The Director provided an update and feedback.

Spring into fun and adventure at the Weyburn Library

Children’s and family programming will feature ‘The Signs of Spring’ at the Weyburn Public Library during the month of March.

Children’s Programming

Wiggles and Giggles (newborn to 18 months with caregivers) will include Playtime on Monday, March 2, March Showers on Monday, March 9, Little Leprechauns on Monday, March 26, and Bunny Bounce and Play activities on Monday, March 30. All programs run at 10 a.m.

Mini Makers and Movers (ages two to five years with caregivers) will include Music and Movement on Thursday, March 5, St. Paddy’s Playtime on Thursday, March 12, and Tales and Treats story time on Thursday, March 26. All

programs run at 10 a.m.

Little Explorers (ages three to five with caregivers) will include Transportation Games and Crafts on Tuesday, March 3, Large Motor Play on Tuesday, March 10, Spring Experiments and Activities on Tuesday, March 24, and Egg Activities and Crafts on Tuesday, March 31. All programs run at 10 a.m.

KidVentures (ages six to 10) will include St. Paddy’s Day STEM on Thursday, March 5, a Snack Attack program on Thursday, March 19., and Paper Squishies on Thursday, March 26. All programs run at 4 p.m. Take and make straw rockets (ages three to five) will be available on Friday, March 13, and balloon hovercraft (six to 12) on Friday, March 27.

Family Programming

A Mario Party will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m., offering a number of activities, games and crafts.

March Madness will be held on Friday, March 13 at 1 p.m., Flapjacks and Fables will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m., and a Dogman party will be held Friday, March 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Chess Club will meet on Saturday, March 14 and Saturday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Lego club will gather on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m.

Teen Programming

The InBetween Club (ages 11 to 14) will have Mini Pies and Leprechaun Shakes on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m., a Slime Party on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m., Paint Pouring to create master-

pieces will be held Wednesday, March 18 at 6 p.m., and a Mystery Paint afternoon will be held at Meok Ja on Friday, March 27 at 2 p.m.

Adult Programming

Arts opportunities include a seed paper craft on Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m., dragonfly nature artwork on Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m., and Maker’s Nook on Tuesday, March 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.

A Magic: The Gathering game night will be held on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. Tabletop roleplaying games are held every Monday night at the Library, offering Dungeons and Dragons, Borderlands RPG, Marvel Multiverse RPG and Daggerheart.

The Social Circle, hosted by the Southeast Advocates, will meet on

Thursday, March 5 at 2:30 p.m.

The book club will gather to discuss ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m.

A sip, snack and chat program will be held Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m..

Culture in the Kitchen, hosted by the Southeast Advocates, will be on Monday, March 9 at 6 p.m.

A Mindful Mingle, hosted by the Alzheimer Society, will be held Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m.

Caring Saturday crafts will be held Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m.

Take and Make will offer a spring reset jar, and will be available on Saturday, March 21.

The movie ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’

will be playing at the Library Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.

Community Groups

The Carver’s Niche gathers at the Library every Wednesday at 1 p.m.

The Plainsight Weyburn Art Collective will meet on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. A Plainsight Artist Retreat will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Weyburn Genealogical Society meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

The Wild and Free Homeschool group meets the last Friday of the month at 2 p.m.

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will host a Spring Repair Cafe at the Weyburn Public Library on Saturday, March 28.

Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn This Week

COMMUNITY

Wheatland Centre game results

A number of card games and activities were held at the Wheatland Senior Centre last week.

In Spades on February 9, Gladys Lokken placed first, Mildred Sandiford won second and Marge Schultz finished third.

The team of Marjorie McLeod and Jannette Tonn took first during Trump Whist on February 9. Elaine Frasz and Jeanne Molnar placed second, Chris Carter and Sheila Wendel came in third, with Janet Van Winkoop and Gladys Lokken taking fourth place.

In Kaiser on February 10, Kim Bent and Melba Bent placed first, Elaine Frasz and Jeanne Molnar took second, and Fay Johnson and Marge Schultz came in third place.

During Canasta on February 11, Janet Van Winkoop won first, Sheila Wendel placed second, and Shirley Cherpin came in third.

In Hi-Low Whist on February 11, Marge

Schultz and Fay Johnson placed first, Cris Herlick and Phyllis Lindskog came in second, Gladys Lokken and Sharon Eggum took third, with Janet Van Winkoop and Emily Zyla taking fourth place.

During Thursday Crib on February 12, Chris Carter and Doreen Knibbs placed first, Cindy Renas and Ruth Boren took second place, and Rose Levesque and Marlene Szczecinski came in third.

In Friday Contract Bridge on February 13, Mildred Sandiford placed first, Lucie Nickel took second and Jean Fahlman came in third.

During Friday board games, Colin Patrick, Margaret Hill and Bev Johnson were in attendance.

In Spades on February 16, Janet Van Winkoop placed first, Melba Bent won second and Marge Schultz finished third.

The team of Elaine Frasz and Jeanne Molnar took first during Trump Whist on February 16. Sheila Wendel and Chris

Carter placed second, Gladys Lokken and Janet Van Winkoop came in third, with Willa Mae Donald and Marj McLeod taking fourth place.

In Kaiser on February 17, Elaine Frasz and Jeanne Molnar placed first, Norma Kapasuniuk and Melba Bent took second, and Fay Johnson and Marge Schultz came in third place.

On February 18, the centre was closed due to the storm, so no Canasta and Hi-Low Whist games were played.

During Thursday Crib on February 19, Elaine Frasz and Gerry Thompson placed first, Marge Schultz and Fay Johnson took second place, and Don Peterson and Brenda Paul came in third.

The Wheatland Senior Centre will host a monthend supper on Thursday, February 26 at 5 p.m.

Chicken cordon blue will be served.

The annual general meeting for the Wheatland Senior Centre will follow the month-end supper.

Sawyer sorted M&Ms into different bowls while participating in the Weyburn Public Library’s Chocolate Olympics on February 18.

Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn

Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn This Week

EDITORIAL

OPINION: WHY CANADA’S ECONOMY IS OUTGROWING ITS BIG CITIES

Submitted by Joseph Fournier

What began as crisis has become opportunity. A Rural Renaissance is reshaping where Canadians live, how they work and how Canada rebuilds the industrial and human foundations of national resilience.

Canada did not choose this moment of transformation, but it cannot afford to ignore what it has revealed. The pandemic, the housing collapse and AI disruption exposed just how fragile Canada’s urbancentric, import-dependent, service-based economies have become. They forced a reckoning with where and how this country can remain productive, secure and sovereign.

The Wuhan outbreak was more than a public health emergency. It was a geopolitical awakening. When the virus escaped Wuhan under a shroud of censorship, and when the Chinese government suppressed early intelligence on SARS-CoV-2 while hoarding global PPE supplies, North Americans discovered how deeply decades of offshoring had hollowed out its industrial base.

Supply chains buckled. Pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and basic manufacturing inputs became chokepoints. The illusion that globalization guaranteed stability evaporated almost overnight.

For Canada, the lesson was stark. A nation that cannot produce essential goods

is a nation that cannot protect its people. Economic sovereignty is national security.

The pandemic also triggered something few policymakers expected. It set off one of the largest internal migration shifts in modern Canadian history. Between 2019 and 2023, Canada’s major metropolitan areas (Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary and Edmonton) lost nearly 274,000 residents to smaller cities, towns and rural regions, according to Statistics Canada migration estimates.

This was not a trickle. It was a 350-fold increase over the negligible outflows of the previous decade.

Lockdowns pushed millions into remote work. Housing affordability, already strained, collapsed into crisis. In Toronto and Vancouver, detached homes soared to more than seven times median household income.

Young Canadians, priced out and exhausted, looked elsewhere. And “elsewhere” meant rural Canada.

But this migration is not simply about lifestyle. It reflects a deeper structural rebalancing of the nation, one accelerated by the rise of generative AI.

For 40 years, Canada steered its youth toward white-collar careers, promising stability in offices, tech firms and professional services. Meanwhile, bluecollar trades, once the backbone of national productivity, were treated as relics of a bygone era.

Weyburn awards $112K contract for new parks maintenance truck

Sara Park/SaskToday.ca

City council has approved the purchase of a new parks maintenance truck equipped with a landscaper box, awarding the $112,815 contract on February 9 to Commercial Truck Equipment.

The price is before taxes and the unit will be delivered without a trade-in. It will replace the city’s 2005 parks maintenance truck, which Director of Engineering Renee Cugnet told council has reached the end of its service life and is facing ongoing maintenance and reliability issues.

The truck is used in daily cemetery operations, urban forestry work, hauling, and garbage collection. Fleet Services budgeted $155,000 for the replacement.

Administration used the Canoe Procurement Group of Canada’s cooperative purchasing program to source the new parks maintenance truck equipped with a landscaper box.

Councillor John Corrigan asked why the purchase was being made outside Weyburn, saying the city has a dealership.

Cugnet said the unit is being custom built.

“It is a 2026 Ford F450 chassis with a crew cab, but it is going to be equipped with

the hoist landscaper box, which has to go through a commercial trucking installation company, like a third-party company besides a truck dealership,” she said. “Canoe was able to help us source it pre-built and predelivered. It just cuts down on the back and forth and the separating out and then dealing with multiple vendors in trying to get the product that we want and having to bid separate pieces and then putting them together after.”

Mayor Jeff Richards asked Cugnet to explain what a landscaper truck is for those unfamiliar with the truck.

“It’s a smaller, shallow-sided dump box essentially with a fold down tailgate for easy access of loading and offloading things and then it will have a hoist to dump,” she said. “So, essentially a dump box as well.”

On December 12, 2025, the request for pricing was issued by the Canoe/Sourcewell Contract. A total of 24 suppliers submitted proposals and were evaluated by Canoe/ Sourcewell on experience and pricing. Commercial Truck Equipment of Regina ranked first overall.

Delivery is expected within two to three months.

AI has flipped that script.

The jobs that replaced trades are now among the most vulnerable to automation. Coding, legal drafting and financial analysis are tasks AI already performs at scale, faster, cheaper and with increasing sophistication.

By contrast, the trades are becoming the new frontier of economic resilience. Welding, pipefitting, heavy equipment operation, power engineering, construction and electrical work all demand dexterity, spatial judgment and real-world problem solving that AI cannot replicate.

These are also the skills Canada needs to rebuild domestic manufacturing, expand energy production and construct housing.

The future of Canadian sovereignty will not be written in boardrooms. It will be built by tradespeople.

That is why the Rural Renaissance matters.

Rural and mid-sized communities offer what major cities increasingly cannot. They provide affordable land, attainable housing, cleaner air and the space required for energy-intensive industries. They are where new factories, refineries and critical mineral processing facilities can be built without the cost and constraints of major cities.

They are also places where skilled trades can afford to raise families.

The benefits extend beyond economics. Lower-density living is increasingly recognized as a mental health asset. Research shows that chronic exposure to noise, congestion and crowding is linked to elevated cortisol levels and eroded cognitive function. Rural environments, by contrast, reduce stress, improve mood and strengthen attention.

Perhaps the most overlooked dividend is social capital. Rural communities

cultivate interdependence. Families rediscover traditional skills, including gardening, animal husbandry, carpentry and mechanics, that reconnect them to land and community. Newcomers integrate more deeply, not as anonymous transplants, but as contributors to shared local life.

Canada’s future prosperity still depends on productivity. And productivity depends on skilled, mobile, grounded people who can build, repair and operate the physical systems that keep a country functioning. AI may transform the digital economy, but it cannot pour concrete, weld pipe or maintain a power grid. It cannot mine nickel, harvest wheat or construct a home. Only highly skilled people can do that. Increasingly, those people are choosing to live outside the major cities.

The Rural Renaissance is not a retreat from modernity. It is a response to reality. It positions Canada to reindustrialize, diversify supply chains and strengthen food and energy security. It aligns with the pressures of geopolitics, the realities of AI and the aspirations of families seeking stability and purpose.

The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities. The affordability crisis forced a reckoning. AI is rewriting the labour market. Together, these forces have opened a path toward renewal, one rooted in soil, space and sovereignty.

Canada now faces a choice. It can cling to an urban-centric model that no longer serves it, or it can embrace the dispersed, resilient and productive future already taking shape across its rural heartlands. The opportunity is immense. And the road to national renewal runs through the countryside.

Joseph Fournier is a senior fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

With community support, Estevan family hopes to return home after fire

David Willberg SaskTodayca.

An Estevan family whose home was damaged in a recent fire is grateful for the support it has received from the community.

The Estevan Fire Rescue Service reported it had responded to the fire at the Sky View Pointe Modular Home Park in south Estevan in the late afternoon of Feb. 17. No injuries were reported in the fire, the EFRS said, but the building was damaged.

Mike Teixeira, who resided in the building with his family, said they had returned from Regina to drop off a family member. They

had been home for about 20 minutes when their son noticed the fire, which he believes started in the front porch area.

“Afterwards, it was all hands on deck. Everybody out. Not a drill,” Teixeira told SaskToday. Everybody in the home was able to escape safely, he said, as well as their pets.

“The neighbours were a big help as the fire was happening. They took the animals from me, put them away in their cars and my kids as well, kept them safe for me while I was trying to put the fire out.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The family lost all of their bedding and furniture, but they were able to escape with some clothes. They did not have insurance at the time, he said.

Teixeira praised the work of the emergency crews, including the fire department, saying the work they did kept the smoke damage to a minimum.

The family has found a temporary home elsewhere in south Estevan and they’re trying to get life back to normal as quickly as possible, but Teixeira said he recognizes it will take some time. The children have handled the situ-

EPS warns of counterfeit currency

The Estevan Police Service (EPS) said it has recovered counterfeit Canadian currency that was used to purchase items at local businesses.

In a news release posted February 23, the EPS reminded the public to exercise caution when accepting cash, whether it be during private sales such as garage sale transactions, or in day-to-day business operations.

“Counterfeit bank notes can appear genuine at first glance. The colour, paper type, holograms, and

printed details may closely resemble legitimate currency,” the EPS said.

If someone is a cashier or conducting a private sale, and has any doubt about the authenticity of a bank note presented, the EPS recommends not completing the transaction.

Taking a moment to carefully examine the bill can help prevent financial loss and further circulation of counterfeit currency.

The police report for February 19 noted police received two separate reports of counterfeit $20

Hey Dads! How’s the middle of winter working out for you? Are some of those warm days teasing you about spring? It’s not over yet. We had some warm days around here, above freezing for almost a week! When the warm days stick around that long, what do the kids want to take out of the garage? Their bikes!

I recently took advantage of one of those warm days and went for a walk down our gravel road. My 7-year-old son, Arrow, wanted to come along but he didn’t want to walk. He wanted to ride his bike. That was fine with me as there was lots of gravel to ride on. But there was also some smooth, slick spots where vehicle tires had packed down the snow turning it into ice. And on which part of the road do you think Arrow wanted to ride his bike? Of course, on the icy tire tracks.

“Sure, you can ride there if you want, but you might fall. Why not ride on the gravel?” I asked him. By the time I finished the sentence he was too

bills being passed at local businesses. Both matters remain under investigation.

In other recent news, the EPS says it received a report of a suspicious vehicle on the Airport Road early in the morning of February 19. The matter was passed on to the Estevan RCMP and the EPS attended to assist. The vehicle was located and two individuals were identified inside.

The RCMP was updated by EPS. No further information was immediately available.

Biking on ice!

far away to hear me. And I watched, shaking my head, as his front tire slid out from underneath him.

“You okay?” I called.

“Ya, I’m fine!” he shouted as he climbed on again and sped straight back onto the ice tracks.

This was not a long walk we were on. Our mission was to bring some banana treats to the cows down the road. Cows like bananas, by the way. Peel and all. It was probably a mile out and a mile back home. Before we reached the lucky cows he had fallen again. Again I suggested the better option may be to ride on the gravel and again my wise wisdom went unheeded. We reached our destination and fed the bulky bovines bananas. Believe it or not, as we headed back home Arrow took another spill. He remained uninjured and sure that he was making good life choices only this time his chain came off. I helped him put it back on and you can guess what I suggested as he hopped back on his bike. I suspect you could also guess what fatherly

ation well.

“Nobody is very distraught about it anymore,” he said.

A GoFundMe campaign, Mike and Jen Rebuild After their Tragic House Fire, was launched by their friend Reauna Blight shortly after the fire.

As of the afternoon of Feb. 22, it had raised $1,000 of its $5,000 goal. Blight describes the family as dear friends and neighbours.

“Thankfully, Mike, Jen and the kids got out safe along with their pets. However, in such a tra -

gic time, unknowns are ahead. Please help us in supporting this amazingly wonderful family to cover the unexpected needs and costs while they repair and manage their lives during these uncertain times,” the campaign states.

“We are reaching out to the community in this time to ask for help in any way. Every bit of support helps. Thank you for being such a caring and supportive community.”

Any support people can offer would be a blessing, Blight said. No donation is

too small, she added, and every donation is appreciated beyond measure.

“If you are unable to donate, but are looking for other ways to help, whether it be clothes, shoes, or household items, please contact me and I can put you in touch with the appropriate people. Thank you so much,” Blight wrote.

Teixeira said everybody in the home park was very helpful, and those who knew about the fire have been helpful and have done what they can to help.

advice was rejected as he pedalled off into the distance. And as history repeats itself, I’m sure you can play the part of the prophet predicting the pedaler’s path as he picked up speed. If you’ve been counting, that would be fall number four. The final crash count was five as we completed our mission and walked up our driveway. Believe it or not, no tears were shed by father or son on this adventure and all parties arrived home without injury or trauma. Is there a parenting lesson in this? You can decide that for yourself. Why not go for a walk with your kids as the weather starts to warm. You’re the parent so you can decide if the kids bring bikes or do not bring bikes. Biker beware! Time flies, dad. Make every moment count. Even the unheeded-fatherly-advice ones. Jason Weening often walks with his 10 kids and one patient wife. It’s free family fun! You can get his book on Amazon, “Yes, Dear…I’m Watching Them.”

A GoFundMe campaign is underway for the Teixeira family.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe

Red Wings induct members into inaugural Hall of Fame

Submitted

The Weyburn Red Wings organization celebrated a historic night on February 15 as the team officially inducted the inaugural class into the Red Wings Hall of Fame.

Surrounded by alumni, family, friends, and supporters, the evening honoured the individuals and teams who helped shape generations of Red Wings hockey.

In the Builder Category, they recognized Tom Laing, Dwight McMillan, and Tom Webb for their dedication, leadership, and lasting impact behind the scenes. Their commitment helped lay the foundation for the success and tradition our organization continues to build on today.

The Player Category, proudly sponsored by Redcoat Ag Inc., celebrated outstanding on-ice achievement. Inducted were Joe Daley, Bill

Lesuk, and the 1969–70 Memorial Cup Finalist team — a group that cemented its place in Red Wings history with an unforgettable run. Representing that team were Wendall Bennett, Larry Giroux, Jim Large, Gene Sobchuk, Bill Ennos, and Carl Nicholls, whose accomplishments continue to inspire players who wear the jersey today.

In the Community Category, sponsored by The Young Fellows Club, they honoured Tom Huston, Reinhard Eisbrenner, and Barber Motors for their incredible support and service to the team and community over the years. Their passion for Red Wings hockey extends far beyond the rink.

The Red Wings Hall of Fame now stands as a permanent tribute to the people who built, played for, and strengthened this organization.

Reinhard Eisbrenner was inducted into the Community Category, sponsored by Young Fellows Club. Photos courtesy of Highway 39 Photography

Tom Webb was inducted into the Builder Category, presented by Sandy McCormick.

Jutson Laing, left, accepted the Builder award on behalf of his grandfather, Tom. Sandy McCormick presented the award.

Dwight McMillan, left, was inducted into the Builder Category, presented by Sandy McCormick.

Roger Huston, left, accepted the Community award on behalf of long time supporter, Tom Huston. The award was presented by Warren Douglas.

Andy Barber, left, and Mal Barber accepted the Community award on behalf of Barber Motors.

Joe Daley, left, was inducted into the player category, sponsored by Redcoat Ag. Sandy McCormick presented the award.

Bill Lesuk, left, was inducted into the player category, sponsored by Redcoat Ag and presented by Sandy McCormick.

Gold Wings forward commitments to McKendree University

David Willberg SaskToday.ca

The coincidence isn’t lost on Julia Durr.

The 18-year-old forward from Estevan, who currently plays for the Weyburn Gold Wings in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL), has

committed to play for the McKendree University Bearcats, a Division 1 team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), starting in the 2026-2027 season.

Durr knows all about playing for a team named the Bearcats, as she skated with the Estevan Bearcats

program for years in minor hockey. She said she didn’t realize the naming coincidence until she talked to the collegiate program’s coach and looked into the program.

McKendree University is located in Lebanon, Ill., which has a population of under 5,000 people. She

will be studying education.

“The university is in a very small town,” she told SaskToday. “The class sizes are really small, and it’s kind of an older university, but the thing that interested me the most was it was a small town with small class sizes, and I thought it would be easy to adapt and go to

The U15 Weyburn Devils Girls PDP team attended the WYSA Golden Boy Tournament in Winnipeg from February 13-16. The girls went undefeated with wins against Superior Rush FC 1-0, Thunder Bay Chill 1-0, Winnipeg South End United 0-0 and the gold medal winning final against Superior Rush FC 1-0. Pictured back row, l-r: Coach Mike Waelchli, Dallas Liebriecht, Sadie Scherr. Avery Hamilton, Amilee Waelchli, Mya Gray, Shelby Mauer, Lexi Bell and Coach Tyler Hillstead. Middle row: Sam Schmidt, Madison DeWitt, Avery DeWitt, Lexi Hillstead, Brooklyn Braun and Taylor Woitas. Front row: Gabriella Friesen.

because I am from a small town,” she said.

While McKendree is in the U.S., the Bearcats have a lot of Canadians, which also appealed to her. The Bearcats have been a competitive team this season, usually hovering around second to fourth in their conference standings.

Durr is in her third season of U18 AAA hockey with the Goldwings and her final season of minor hockey. The Wings sit sixth in the league standings with an 11-16-1-2 mark, but won seven of 10 games after Christmas.

“It’s been fun. We’re winning a lot and now we’re getting ready to head into the playoffs,” said Durr.

She is grateful to the Estevan Minor Hockey Asso-

ciation for helping with her development and allowing her to find a passion for the sport. She also recognizes the value of her time in Weyburn, having spent two seasons playing U15 AA hockey with the southeast team and then three years with the U18 team.

“I got a good opportunity to play AAA hockey in Weyburn and stayed close to home,” she said. Durr also thanked her family for their support throughout her hockey journey.

She expects she will spend a lot of time working on her skills at Athlete World in Estevan during the offseason, and adding to her strength by going to the gym as she prepares to take the next step as a player.

What is silent bullying and how can you spot it?

Canadians will once again observe Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, February 25, a national antibullying movement. This day is a reminder that bullying, whether overt or subtle, has no place in schools. What’s silent bullying? Silent bullying, sometimes referred to as quiet bullying, doesn’t involve loud words or physical harm. In-stead, it happens through ac -

tions that can be difficult to notice, such as ignoring someone, giving them the “silent treatment,” spreading rumours behind their back, leaving them out on purpose or using subtle looks or gestures to make them feel unwelcome. Because it can be hard to detect, silent bullying can be just as damaging as more overt forms of bullying.

How to spot it

To recognize silent bullying, keep an eye out for certain patterns of behaviour, such as:

• Exclusion. If you notice that someone is often excluded from group chats, activities or conversations, it could be a sign of silent bullying.

• Subtle gestures. Look for non-verbal signs of bullying. For

example, if classmates roll their eyes, whisper or give dirty looks when an individual speaks, those are warning signs of silent bullying.

• Changes in behaviour. Keep an eye on how the person being targeted behaves. If a typically out going individual becomes withdrawn or avoids school and social events, these

could be red flags that they’re experiencing silent bullying. Spotting silent bullying means paying attention to what isn’t being said, as much as what is. Silent bullying may be quiet, but its impact is loud. By notic ing it and speaking up, you can help build a culture of respect every day, not just on Pink Shirt Day.

Important to recognize signs of workplace bullying

Bullying isn’t limited to schools— it can also occur on the job. Recognizing the warning signs is the first step in addressing it. Here are four common signs.

Constant criticism or undermining

Constructive feedback is essential to an employee’s development, but unfair or excessive criticism is bullying. If someone’s work is regularly picked apart, or if they’re being set up to fail by having information or resources withheld, this is a clear indication of bullying.

Social exclusion

Deliberate exclusion from meetings, conversations or team activities is another form of bullying. When someone is repeatedly left out of key gatherings, they get the message that they are not valued as part of the

team and may experience a sense of isolation.

Verbal abuse or humiliation

Yelling, insults or sarcastic remarks intended to embarrass some one in front of others is bullying. Even jokes at a colleague’s expense can cross the line if they’re meant to belittle or humiliate.

Abuse of power

Workplace bullying often involves misuse of authority. A manager or senior employee who assigns impossible workloads, threatens job security or takes credit for someone else’s work is being a bully.

Workplace bullying may not always be obvious, but its effects can be serious. If you think you may be the target of workplace bullying, speak with your human resources manager.

Myths about bullying, debunked

Bullying is a serious issue, but many myths persist that make it hard to identify. To stop bullying in its tracks, you must first be able to recognize it. Here are five common myths about bullying, and the truth behind them.

Bullying is a normal part of growing up

Bullying is not normal or acceptable in any form. It can cause lasting harm to a person’s selfesteem, relationships and mental health. Mistreatment is not a rite of passage; it’s a serious issue that should never be ignored.

Bullying only happens face-to-face

Physical pushing and teasing still occur, but bullying has now moved online, too. Cyberbullying can reach victims anywhere and at any time. It often occurs through texts, social media or gaming platforms, making the target feel as if they can’t escape it.

If you ignore it, the bullying will stop

The opposite is often true. Speaking up is a much better way to stop the cycle. Seek help from teachers, friends or trusted adults if you think someone is being mistreated. If you can do so safely, express your support to the person being bullied.

Bullies are almost always boys

Bullying isn’t limited to boys. Girls also bully, although it may take different forms. Girls often use tactics like exclusion, rumours or social pressure rather than physical force.

Children who bully are always the tough kids

There’s a stereotype that bullies are always the biggest, strongest or most aggressive kids. The truth is that bullying can come from anyone. It isn’t about toughness; it’s about misusing power, which can take many different forms.

Bullying and gender identity

Bullying can affect anyone, but LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges. Awareness of these struggles helps nurture safer, more supportive communities.

Why LGBTQ+ youth experience bullying LGBTQ+ individuals are often targeted by bullies because of how others perceive or judge their gender identity or sexual orientation. Sometimes, their biases come from fear or discomfort. However, these negative perceptions are often reinforced by harmful stereotypes or negative portrayals in the media and society. When people see LGBTQ+ people as “abnormal,” it can make bullying feel acceptable to them, even though it’s deeply damaging.

Common challenges

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, bullying often takes on the form of hurtful name-calling and slurs that are closely tied to who they are. Exclusion from friend groups, sports teams or social events can fuel feelings of isolation. Additionally, in the digital age, harassment can extend online, where hateful comments and memes can make the targeted person feel as if it’s impossible to find a safe space.

Every person deserves respect, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. Education about these challenges, combined with simple kindness, can help create an environment where LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen, supported and safe.

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Site tour gives southeast students better grasp of oil industry

David Willberg

SaskToday.ca

Twenty-one students from the 33 Central School in Fillmore recently had a unique learning opportunity outside the classroom, due to a partnership with a couple of energy companies.

Dawn Ray, who teaches Kindergarten and has students in the Grades 7-9 classes, said it started when an oil rig was on her family’s land in nearby Creelman. Then she found out her kids were learning about oil as part of a Saskatchewan natural resources curriculum, including how oil comes out of the ground, the importance of the industry, the safety standards and the environmental impacts.

Ray broached the idea

of a rig site tour to her kids’ teacher, and the teachers then talked to people who worked at the rig, who supported the tour. The higherups with the companies, Stampede Drilling and Saturn Oil and Gas, gave their blessing for the tour as well.

The tour of the rig site happened on a cold winter day, and all safety protocols were followed.

“They really enjoyed it,” Ray said. “Obviously, they’ve all seen pumpjacks and they’ve all heard about oil, but to go up right close and see how big it actually is, I think was what’s interesting for them, and I think they’re understanding of how far down they drill.”

The kids were kept towards the perimeter of the lease site and couldn’t go

Students from the 33 Central School in Fillmore recently had a unique learning opportunity outside the classroom.

near the rig. But they did get to see the lease site and its buildings, and they learned the processes and procedures. A geologist and rig employees explained their work as well.

“We could see them working up there, doing all the things that they do,” she recalled.

After the tour, the students and staff took the bus to where the oil was coming from, which Ray said was about four kilometres from the rig.

Ray noted that even during the oil boom of more than a decade ago, Creelman was at the edge of the drilling activity, so they don’t see as much oil activity.

“For there to be a rig right there, it was such an opportunity,” she said. “It was super handy. Right place, right time. It worked out.”

It was also a learning opportunity for her, as she found out how much the industry has changed over the years.

Josh Dobbyn, a rig manager with Sampede Drilling, said it was a unique experience having the young people at the site. He had never been part of anything like this before, even when he was growing up and his father worked on the rigs.

Dobbyn was impressed with the attentiveness of

the children when it comes to geology and technology.

“The interest from the teachers and the kids was mainly the thing that stood out to me the most. It’s a unique opportunity that you never hear too much about.”

Even though they didn’t step on the rig or get too close to the equipment, safety was a big part of the day, he said.

Cindy Gray, the vicepresident of investor relations with Saturn Oil and Gas, said the company recognizes that students will face an energy landscape defined by rapid change, scientific advancement and complex global challenges.

“Through this collaborative initiative with Stampede Drilling and ReedHycalog (NOV), the students were introduced to the mechanics and logistics behind drilling, along with learning more about the science of natural resource extraction,” Gray said.

“Students learned about the importance of careful planning, strong safety standards and responsible resource development in protecting workers, and had a chance to see how energy connects to their daily lives and community.”

Saturn Oil and Gas is excited to see the innovative and fresh ideas that the next generation will bring to careers in the trades, geoscience, chemistry, digital

technology and engineering disciplines, she said.

“Saturn is extremely proud of our Canadian oil and gas industry. The world needs more Canadian energy.”

Ray said the companies were great to work with and so happy to have the chil-

dren out there. The person who guided the tour noted that this is the first time that he can recall having students at the site in 32 years in the oilpatch.

“They were so excited for this. They made stickers, custom stickers, just for their field trip.”

lands

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